Convertible billiard and pool table.



No. 662,927. Patented Dec. 4, I900. F. x. GANTER. CONVERTIBLE BILLIARD AND POOL TABLE.

(Application filed June 20, 1899.)

(No Model.)

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CONVERTIBLE BILLIARD AND POOL TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 662,927, dated December 4, 1900.

Application filed June 20, 1899. Serial No. 721.187. (N0 model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANCIS X. GANTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Baltimore, in the State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Convertible Billiard and Pool Tables, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates toa rectangular-top table similar in appearance when closed to an ordinarylibrary-table, which maybe converted by extending and opening its parts into a billiard or pool table.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the table in its normal closed position and also indicating in broken lines its extended position, 'the hinged part of the top being shown both partially raised and also when fully opened. Part of the table-top is broken away to expose the cushioned rims or edges. Fig. 2 is a top plan view showing the cushioned rims or edges of the divided and hinged table-top when opened. Part of the top is broken away to show the legs and braces at one end in section and indicating the location of other parts by broken lines. Fig. 3 is a vertical section of one of the legs, showing the ball-passage in a modified form.

Referring now to the drawings, six legs A, B, O, D, E, and F rest upon the floor. Three of these legs A B C at one end are connected by a horizontal curved brace g. At the other end the three legs D E F are similarly connected by a curved brace g. The center leg F at this end is, however, divided vertically into parts a a. One part, a, of this divided leg is permanently connected by a reach it with the center leg 0 at the other end and is also permanently connected to the table-top I. Thus the rigid portion I of the table-top has really four legs under it-to wit, A, B, O, and one part, a, of the divided leg. The other part, a, of center leg F and the two corner legs D E are free to be drawn away or extended from the said four legs a limited distance by means of ordinary extension-slides, (indicated by broken lines atj.) The slides referred to are well known and are the same as long used on extension dining-tables.

The table-top comprises two equal parts I I, each provided on one surface with a raised cushioned rim or edge and united by hinges 1, applied to the raised rims or edges of said two sections, so that the top section I may be folded over on top of the rigid section I and the raised cushioned rims or edges of both sections confront each other or be in contact, as in Fig. 1. The movable section I may also be spread open, as in Fig. 2, when the hinged ends of the raised rims will abut and form a continuous rim entirely around the table in readiness for use as a billiard-table. The said table-top also has a recess or opening m in each of its four corners, which occupy positions directly over the legs and are in comm unication with ball-passages n in each leg when the table is in the extended position.

Each leg has a passage 01, which may extend down to the curved braces g or g, and these latter are also provided with passages 01 and an outlet or discharge 01 It will thus be seen that there is a continuous communication from the corner opening an at the raised cushioned rims down the leg and through the braces to the discharge 17. where a receptacle 0 is placed on the floor to receive the balls.

It will now be understood that my improved table is designed for use as a library, reception-room, or office table and is convertible into a billiard or pool table.

I may use the passage in the leg in a modified form, as in Fig. 3. Here the balls fall into a pocket m in the leg, from which they may be taken at the opening m The opening may be closed by a hinged cover m similar to an ordinary keyhole-guard, or by other means.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A billiard-table, comprising a top having openings for the passage of the balls, and legs supporting said top and formed with passages adapted to receive the balls that pass through the openings in the top.

2. The combination of a table having extension-slides; a table-top in two sections one section rigidly secured to the table-frame, and each section provided on one surface with a billiard-cushion and having in each corner an opening, m; a hinge uniting the two sections, so that the movable section may be folded over on top of the rigid section and the billiard-cushions of both sections confront each other and legs having ballpassages which receive the balls that pass through the passages in the legs to a common diseharge- IO corner openings in the table-top.

3. A billiard-table, comprising a top formed with openings for the passage of the balls, legs supporting said top and formed with ball-passages extending therethrough adapted to receive the balls that pass through the openin gs in the top, and braces connecting said legs and formed with passages leading from the opening.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

FRANCIS X. GANTER. Witnesses:

' THOS. A. BAILEY,

GEORGE KOE'IHER. 

